What’s the Dress Code for a French Wedding?

If you're planning a french wedding or you've recently been invited to a destination wedding in France, you might be wondering what the dress code is. You might have questions such as, do you need to change pre and post-church service? Are french weddings formal or more laid back than other Western cultures?

Well, the good news is that the dress code for French weddings is similar to English-speaking culture. However, there are subtle differences that you should be aware of.

What Should I Wear to a French Wedding?

For guys, it's customary to wear a suit to a French wedding. A dark grey or navy suit is always a good choice (as long as it doesn't match the groom or groomsmen), but if you're attending a summer wedding, you can opt for a lighter-coloured suit.

For women, a french wedding dress code typically means a chic and elegant ensemble. Many consider French weddings to be slightly less formal than English or other Western weddings regarding dress codes.

There's no need to wear long formal gowns that you might consider for any other black-tie event, and wearing a hat or fascinator is becoming less and less typical at modern-day French weddings. A nice cocktail dress, a fancy sundress, or a feminine pantsuit are all excellent choices for a French wedding.

The French tend to be more conservative with their dresses, so you should avoid anything too short, revealing, or tight-fitting. If you're not sure whether your outfit is appropriate, it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Concerning footwear, French weddings are almost identical to other Western counterparts, with dress or suit shoes for men and heels or dressy flats for women.

Should I Bring Multiple Outfits to a French Wedding?

In short, yes. There is an increasing trend for everyone to undergo outfit changes as the day/evening wears on. Since French weddings span more than 24 hours, it's common for guests to wear two or three outfits during proceedings.

The most common pattern is wearing something relatively casual for the civil ceremony at the Mairie (town hall) before getting dressed up properly for the church ceremony and vin d'honneur (cocktail hour).

Then many couples (including the bride and groom) often change into smart but less restrictive formal wear for the repas de noces (wedding meal and reception), where there are hours of dining and dancing to get through.

So you might want to bring as many as three outfits for the entire span of the wedding celebration. Note: that's without including the wedding brunch the morning after.

What Are Some of the French Wedding Faux Pas Regarding Attire?

The first golden rule is avoiding the colour white or close variants such as cream, beige, or champagne. These colours are reserved for the bride. Conversely, red and black are fine, even though these are frowned upon in other Western cultures. Pastel colours are always a pretty safe bet.

If you're planning or have been invited to a chateau wedding, you might be surprised to learn that these tend to be more casual affairs despite the grandeur of their location. Celebrations like these, in the countryside, while still smart, are often much more casual than weddings in major cities such as Marseille or Paris.

The last mistake you can make is not clarifying the dress code with the bride or groom. In almost all cases, you can avoid a jarring misjudgement of the dress code by having a five-second conversation with either the happy couple or another family member.

When in doubt, it's always better to be slightly under-dressed than massively over-dressed for a French wedding. With that in mind, follow the simple tips above, and you'll be sure to make a chic and stylish impression at your next nuptials in France!